Boris Herrmann and Malizia Explorer Research Vessel off on Scientific Mission to the Danger Islands

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia Explorer before departure in Ushuaia to Antarctica © Malizia Explorer

Yesterday evening local time, Team Malizia's sailing research vessel Malizia Explorer departed Ushuaia, Argentina, for her first scientific mission to Antarctica. Onboard this sailing boat dedicated entirely to science and communication are offshore sailor and environmental advocate Boris Herrmann, a team of researchers, and media representatives. After several weeks of research around and on the Danger Islands, the team is expected to return to Ushuaia by mid-December with findings that could help lay the groundwork for future Ocean protection efforts.

The Danger Islands lie at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the regions most affected by rapid climate change. Yet this small archipelago remains near-pristine and serves as an invaluable scientific reference point. It is also a biodiversity hotspot, home to the world's largest colony of Adélie penguins, with one million breeding pairs nesting on its rocky outcrops each November.

To safeguard this unique ecosystem, seven of the islands were placed under strict protection in 2024 through the designation of Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) 180, the first such initiative led by Germany. As the initiator of the new protected area, Germany is now responsible for managing the Danger Islands.

As part of Germany's broader commitment to protecting Antarctica, the Danger Islands 2025 expedition will conduct the first detailed field study of this small yet ecologically significant group of islands. For this, researchers from AWI, ThINK, and UBA will use drone mapping to study colonies, investigate food chains, vegetation and biodiversity, and monitor microplastic and chemical contamination as well as take water profiles using the newly installed CTD Rosette provided by AWI. The data collected is intended to help improve global climate models and support political decision-making. Beyond data collection, the expedition aims to go a step further by connecting scientific insight with policy development, transforming research into concrete conservation strategies.

While the Danger Islands themselves are protected under ASPA 180, the surrounding waters, on which most local wildlife depends for food, remain unprotected. Establishing marine protected areas in regions with potential fishing interests has so far proven far more difficult than protecting land areas in Antarctica, yet is in no means less important. This mission therefore seeks to provide evidence for extending protection from land to sea, showing that effective conservation on land requires healthy marine ecosystems. If successful, the findings could serve as a model for expanding protected areas across Antarctica and beyond.

"I am deeply fascinated and personally inspired by the Danger Islands mission, as it's more than just an expedition, it's part of a long-term strategy by German scientists and policymakers." comments Boris Herrmann, founder of Team Malizia and expedition leader on the Malizia Explorer research vessel for this mission. "Over the next month, we will be operating in an exceptional environment, doing science more sustainably and sharing the experience openly with the public. Through daily updates, dedicated media features, and educational events with schools, we hope to bring people along with us on this journey," he adds.

For this expedition, an interdisciplinary team of sailing professionals, scientists, and media creators is onboard. Besides Boris Herrmann (Team Malizia skipper), the crew includes Dr. Simeon Lisovski (polar biologist at AWI), Fritz Hertel (ecologist at UBA), and Osama Mustafa (geologist at ThINK). Journalists joining the expedition are Andreas Wolfers (GEO), photographer Esther Horvath (National Geographic), and Carsten Behrendt for ZDF. The crew of 14 is completed by additional scientists and the three-person Malizia Explorer crew, who operate the vessel and bring extensive Antarctica experience.

After having waited several days in Ushuaia for a safe weather window to cross the Drake Passage, the team has now exiting the Beagle Channel and setting sail towards Antarctica. Once they reach the continent after roughly four days at sea, the crew will look for the next weather window in order to continue their journey to the Danger Islands and begin the scientific operations planned within the Antarctic Specially Protected Area.

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